Dam facing



Aug 13, 1935.

w. H. BAILEY 2,010,803

DAM FACING Filed Sept. 5, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet l u 13, 1935.: w. H.BAILEY 2,010,803

DAM FACING Fi led Sept. 5, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1935. w. H. BAILEY2,010,803

DAM FAC ING Filed Sept. 5195s 5 Sheets-Sheet s T I, 0 INVENTO I g BYATTORNEY Patented Aug. 13, 1935 DAM FACING William H. Bailey, Pueblo,Cola, assignor to The Colorado Fuel and Iron Company, Denver,

Colo.

Application September 5, 1933, Serial No. 688,185

13 Claims. (01. s1 30) This invention relates to the construction ofdams, and more particularly to dams of the type in which a solidstructure of concrete or other suitable material is covered by aprotective metallic facing.

The present invention relates more particular- 1y to the construction ofthis facing and to the method of its application to the dam proper, andits primary object is to provide a facing capable of expansion andcontraction without detrimental deformation or disruption, by the use ofcorrugations in the metal of which it is composed.

Another object is to provide a facing of the above described character,made up of units or sections of corrugated form joined together in anyconvenient and suitable manner.

A further object is to provide practical methods of joining the unitstogether, which methods are capable of different modifications, allwithin the scope of the invention.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a novelcrest-element at the upper edge of the dam, by which the spillage ofwater across the dam-structure is effectively prevented and by which thedam facing is protected against destructive influences from beyond thedam.

In connection with the last mentioned object, the invention includes theprovision of appliances for tensioning the facing for the main purposeof preventing buckling during expansion subsequent to contraction.

, Other objects too numerous for individual mention reside in details ofconstruction and in novel arrangements and combinations of parts, all ofwhich will be fully disclosed in the course of the following descriptionwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings in the several views of which like parts are similarlydesignated. 40 .Figure 1 represents a face view of the dam structure .inaccordance with the presentinvention, i

Figure 2, an enlarged, partially broken section taken on the 'line 2-2of Figure 1,

Figure 3, an enlarged sectional view of the lower portion of the damshowing means for anchoring the facing at the foot of the dam, t Figure4, an enlarged section along the line 4-4 of Figure 1, showing thelapping relation of the units or sections of which the dam facing iscomposed,

Figure 5 is an enlarged section on the line 55,

Figure 1, showing a means for connecting the sections, lengthwise of thefacing,

Figure 6 is an enlarged section taken on the line 65 of Figure 1,showing a modification of the means illustrated in Figure 5,

Figure '7 shows in a section similar to that of Figure 5, a. modifiedmethod of joining the sections of the facing, V

Figure 8 illustrates another modification of the arrangement of theunits of which the facing is composed, 1

Figure 9 is an enlarged section taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 1,showing an additional means of connecting the units crosswise of thedam,

Figure 10 is an enlarged section in the plane indicated by the lineIll-46 of Figure 1,

Figure 11 shows in section, a modification of the feature of theinvention, illustrated inFigure 10, a

Figure 12, a sectional View of; the top portion of a corrugateddam-facing, showing a method of closing the corrugations at that pointof the structure, and i Figure 13, a sectional View of a darn crestsimilar to that of Figure 2, showing a modified method of bracing thesame.

In the construction illustrated in the drawings the units of thecomposite metallic dam-facing of joiningfthe unitsof the dam-facing,other means such as riveting, bolting, etc, may be employed withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

Referring more in detail tothe drawings, the. structure or body of thedarn, indicated at 5, may be made of concrete, masonry or any suitablematerial. The slanting face of the damjproper is indicated by thereference numeral 6 audit is to be understood thatin the followingdescription and the hereunto appended claims, the length of the face andof the facing covering the same, is in the horizontal direction, whilethe.width or transverse dimension of the face and the fab ing extendsupwardlyand downwardly.

The protective dam-facing of the present invention is a composite armorhaving lengthwise or horizontally extending series of verticalcorrugations which permit of its horizontal expan-' sion and contractionunder temperature varia-' tions and other varying conditions; Eachcorrugation serves to compensate for horizontal expansion orcontraction, and by the provision of a series of such corrugations, thedegree of expansion or contraction divided among them is comparativelyslight. In a facing of the corrugated type at present underconstruction, the expansion for one hundred degrees Fahrenheit variationin temperature is approximately four one-thousandths of an inch at eachcorrugation.

In comparision with a flat-plate dam-facing, the corrugated facing willresist bending or buckling to a high degree, which is another importantadvantage, since the cost of production is not proportionatelyincreased. In fact, the corrugated plates, may be made of lighter gaugethan flat plates, with equal if not greater strength and with muchgreater flexibility.

As stated before, the dam-facing is made up of a series of units orsections which may be connected in place, thereby reducing shop-work andfacilitating handling and transportation.

The sections, indicated separately by the reference numeral 7, may beplaced in end-to-end relation, in tiers extending lengthwise orhorizontally of the dam as shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, and the tiersmay be placed in lapping relation to each other, upwardly and downwardlytrans- .versely of the face of the dam as indicated in Figures 4. and 9.

In Figures 5 and 6, the sections adjoin each other intermediate of theirupwardly curving corrugations, while in Figure 7 they abut one anotheralong lines at the apexes of the corrugations.

A simple method of connecting the units is shown in Figure 5 in whichbuttstraps 8 are placed lengthwise of and across the lines of abutmentof the units and secured in place by fillet-welds 9 along their edges.The butt-straps are made of material similar to that of the sections ofthe facing and in conformity therewith.

As a variation of the above described method of securing thebutt-straps, the latter may be provided with holes as shown at w inFigure 6, which are filled by deposits 12 of molten weld-metal which bycontact or adhesion with the parts of the facing-sections beneath theholes, aid in securing the butt-straps in place.

It is desirable that the joints between the sections of adjoining tiersare placed in staggered relation to each other, as shown in Figure 1 ofthe drawings. 7

The crosswise lapping tiers of sections are likewise connected byfillet-welds along their uppermost edges as shown at E3 in Figures 4 and9, and again the connections may be strengthened or reenforced bydeposits of welding metal in holes of the uppermost sections, connectingwith the portions of the lower sections as shown at M in Figure 9.

As a modification of the methods of connecting the sections of eachtier, hereinabove described and shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, thesections may overlap one another horizontally as shown in Figure 8, inwhich case they are connected by filletwelds l5 along the edges of theuppermost sections, aided, if desired, by deposits It of welding metalin holes of the same.

In Figures 5, 6, and 7, have been shown expansion spaces between thelapping sections as at H and I3. J It will be observed that theuppermost edges of the lapping tiers, form ledges which prevent moltenweld-metal from flowing away while the welds are being made.

The dam-facing thus constructed in place,

upon the face of the dam-structure is anchored at the foot of the sameby an inverted T-bar l9 placed lengthwise of the end of the facingagainst a grout 2B of the dam-structure, a lapplate 2i placed over thelower portion of the facing and against the T, and fillet-welds 22 atopposite edges of the lap-plate.

An apron 23 connected with the T-bar by filletwelds 24 and 25 extendsvertically inside the damstructure; hooked bars 25 anchored in thestructure extend through holes of the apron and other hooked bars 28extending vertically in the body of the dam connect with angles 2? onthe T-bar l9.

At the top of the dam is a crest to prevent water from spilling acrossthe darn or to prevent rain water or melting snow from flowingdownwardly across the metallic facing or between the facing and the bodyof the dam. On earth dams and even on rock-filled dams it is a matter ofvital importance that water from the stream or reservoir be preventedfrom going over the top of the dam, to insure against washing away ofmaterials from the dam-structure, and if the volume of overflowing wateris large, the entire structure may be endangered.

Heavy winds frequently cause waves which running up the face of the damwould pass across the top thereof, were it not for a protective wall inthe form of a parapet usually built in damstructures well above the highwater level. The crest of the present invention is a continuation of themetal facing and may be formed separately thereof or integral therewith,according to varying conditions.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, the crest comprises a metallicplate 29 curving upwardly from the top of the dam facing. be corrugatedsimilar to the facing, and like the latter it may be composed ofinterconnected units or sections. The crest curving inwardly with itsconcavity facing the foot of the dam, provides a highly effectivesubstitute for the wall or parapet heretofore employed. Its sloping andcurved surface will arrest and deflect water waves or breakers movingupwardly across the face of the dam, and it compels the water to recedetoward the foot of the dam until equilibrium is established.

At the same time, sprays, rain, or snow that may fall on the convex backof the crest, is prevented from running onto the facing of the dam, orbetween the facing and the face of the dambody, thru the provision of adrain 5!, as shown in Figure 10, and corrosion, particularly at surfacesnot accessible for painting, is thereby avoided.

In this connection, it is observed that both the dam-facing and thecrest are preferably made of corrosion-resistant metal, such asstainlesssteel, wrought iron, copper bearing steel, or ingot iron (atrade name for steel low in carbon or other impurities) V The curvedcrest is supported by braces 36, and its outer surface may be protectedby a metal facing 35 which likewise may be made of corrugated plates. Inthe place of the bracestfi, the crest may be reenforced by metallic websor diaphragms tile, as shown in Figure 13.

A base 32 for the crest connects with the facing and may be made ofmetal plates or other shapes, to rest upon the face of the dam structureat the top thereof and in this manner, the crest and the metallicdam-facing may be slidably supported to move under contraction orexpansion.

The plate may When the crest and the metallic facing are integrally"connected, they will thus move together, orif they overlap one anotherwithout a direct connection between them, theymay move separately orconjointly as the case may be Now, referring to Figure 10 of thedrawings, there is provided a tension appliance to establish andmaintain a force tending to move the metallic darn-facing upwardly'inthe direction of the top of the dam.

The appliance, as shown, comprises a cylinder 33 fastened at theunderside of the facing by welding or other suitable means. The cylinderis closedat its ends, and inside the same. is a coiled spring 3 5engaged by a piston 35 having leak holes 36. 1

The piston is. formed at the end of a rod 31 projecting through a holein the upper end of the cylinder. The outer portion of the rod isthreaded and it extends loosely through an angle iron 38 anchored bymeans of bolts 39 and a bent rod extending well within the body of thedam-structure.

Nuts H, screwed upon the rod, bear against the angle and thus providemeans for varying the tension of the spring.

As shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, a number of these tensioningappliances are arranged at equal'distances apart lengthwise of the damfacing and its crest.

The springs engaging an end of the respective cylinders, and the theretoopposite, faces of the relatively stationary pistons, act by theirexpansive force to constantly pull the facing upwardly or intheolirection of the top of thedam. Bucking of the facing, undercontraction, is thus prevented which is of particular value in theme offacing s composed of flat plates.

In Figure 11 of the drawings the tension appliance is applied to damfacings made withoutthe curved crest shown in Figure 10. In thisconstruction, a wall or parapet 42 built upon the dam-structure takesthe place of the curved crest.

An angular abutment 43 for the nuts on the piston rod is fastened to abrace 44 rearward of the parapet, and the rod extends through a guidetube 45 in the structure of the dam.

The cylinder is self adjusting, to which end it is by means of a lip 46pivotally connected with a bracket 4?, on the under side of the damfacing as at 48. gated metal, and the curved crest is'not used, thecorrugations at the top of the facing may be closed by a continuous flatplate 49, secured in place by welding as at 50, as shown in Figure 12 ofthe drawings.

The operation of the invention and the advantages an'd benefits derivedtherefrom have been mentioned at different times in the course of theforegoing description, and but little further explanation is thoughtnecessary at this point.

The corrugated construction of a facing free to move horizontally,absorbs horizontal contrac tion and expansion and when, as in theconstruction shown in the drawings, the facing is composed of aplurality of corrugated elements,.horizontal expansion and contractionis in each element composed of one groove and one ridge.

The corrugated facing moreover provides greater strength orload-carrying capacity, normal to the face of the dam and also parallelto the face, than would be obtained by a flat facing of the same weightor thickness,

The freely movable facing, constantly tensioned When the dam-facing ismade of corru- I by the spring-appliances, is prevented from bulging inits movement up and down the dam-face under contraction and expansion,which is of particular value on steep slopes, because once the crest hasreceded, due to contraction, the facing might not have enough strengthto push itself back upon the slope under subsequent expansion, withoutthe aid of tensioning devices of the general character herein described.

An added advantage of the curved crest of the facing resides in thefact. that it provides a surface towhich ice will not readily adhere, orto which ice may notbecome locked.

The metallic facing, as shown and described, is substantially ruptureproof or rupture resisting in a horizontal direction. Should the backingof the facing fail, as for example, in case the reservoir is overfilled,due to floods or other causes,

the facing may bellow into any extensive cavity or displacement of thebacking and thereby prevent or materially retard the flow of water fromthe reservoir over the crest. In this respect, the corrugated facingresembles any accordion pleated material that tends to adjust itself toany supporting contour or irregular, supporting k surface. Thecorrugated plate will readily be elongated horizontally, in instances ascited, to a very great extent before the plate will rupture.

In actual practice, it was found that a facing one thousand feetlong-would stretch to approximately twelve hundred feet, beforerupturing.

Another valuable feature of the facing resides in the staggered verticaljoint construction. With this arrangement, it is apparent thattheoretically therewill be no horizontal strain on the butt-strap jointsuntil after the plates have been distorted and are approaching failurefrom horisontal strain, or until the horizontal welded joints havefailed, due ,:to horizontal strain; in other words, the horizontalflexibility of the plate is assured by insurance against failure of thevertical joints.

Moreover, due to the horizontal flexibility of the facing, thecorrugations will tend to flatten out before undue tension will occur totear the facing away from its anchorage to the aprons at the ends of thefacing.

The tension devices herein described obviate the necessity of anchoringthe metallic facing to the dam structure proper where this anchoringwill not be desirable. Wherever a facing is so anchored, there is alwaysa hazard introduced due to starting places for leaks, also as startingplaces for rips.

It is further to be understood that while I have described the differentfeatures of the invention in practicalform and arrangement, variationsin the construction and relative arrangement of the various elements andparts, may be availed of without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe invention as defined in the hereunto appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: v

l. The combination with a dam having a flat upstream face, of a metallicfacing upon said face, having at the top of the same, an incurvedupwardly extending crest, the concave side of said crest facingupstream.

2. The combination with a dam having a flat upstream face, .ofa-metallic corrugated facing upon said face, having at the top of thesame, an incurved upwardly extending corrugated crest, the concave sideof said crest facing upstream.

3. The combination with a dam having a flat upstream face, of a metallicfacing movable upon said face, and means connecting said dam and facingand arranged to yieldingly oppose movement of said facing underexpansion.

4. The combination with a dam facing having a flat upstream face, of ametallic facing movable upon said. face and having corrugations for itsexpansion and contraction horizontally of the same, and means connectingsaid dam and facing for tensioning the facing in a direction up anddownwardly of the face.

5. The combination with a dam facing having a fiat upstream face, of ametallic facing movable upon said face, an abutment on the facing, arelatively stationary abutment on said face, and a spring between andexerting stress on the two abutments for tensioning the facing.

65. The combination with a dam facing having a flat upstream face, of ametallic facing movable upon said face, an abutment on the facing, arelatively stationary abutment on said face, and a spring between andexerting stress on the two abutments for tensioning the facing, thestationary abutment being adjustable to vary its position relative tothe abutment of the facing, whereby to vary the tension of the spring.

'7. The combination with a darn facing having a flat upstream face, of ametallic facing movable upon said face, a cylinder on the facing, apiston in the cylinder fixed with relation to the facing, and a springbetween an end of the cylinder and the piston, for tensioning thefacing.

8. The combination with a dam facing having a fiat upstream face, of ametallic facing movable upon said face, a cylinder on the facing, apiston in the cylinder fixed with relation to the facing, means forvarying the position of the piston relative to an end of the cylinder,and a spring between the piston and said end.

9. The combination with a dam facing having a flat upstream face, of ametallic facing movable upon said face, a cylinder on the facing, an

apertured bracket fixed with relation to the facing, a piston in thecylinder, a threaded rod on the piston extending through an aperture ofthe bracket, a nut on the rod bearing upon the bracket, and a springbetween the piston and an end of the cylinder.

10. The combination with a dam facing having a fiat upstream face, of ametallic facing movable upon said face, a cylinder pivoted on thefacing, an apertured bracket fixed with relation to the facing, a pistonin the cylinder, a threaded rod on the piston extending through anaperture of the bracket, a nut on the rod bearing upon the bracket, anda spring between the piston and an end of the cylinder.

11. The combination with a dam having an inclined face covered by ametallic shield; of means connecting the upper parts of said dam andmetallic shield, and including a spring equivalent tending to pull saidshield upwardly on said face.

12. The combination with a dam having an inclined face covered by ametallic shield; of a cylinder attached to the upper part of the shield,longitudinally of the inclined face, a piston in said cylinder having apiston rod extending through the upper end of the cylinder, a springsurrounding said rod between the piston and the upper end of thecylinder, and an abutment fixed on the upper part of the dam wherewithsaid rod is connected.

13. The combination with a dam having an inclined face covered by ametallic shield, of a cylinder pivotally attached to the upper part ofthe shield, longitudinally of the inclined face, a piston in saidcylinder having a piston rod extending through the upper end of thecylinder, a spring surrounding said rod between the piston and the upperend of the cylinder, and an abutment fixed on the upper part of the damwherewith said rod is connected.

WILLIAM BAILEY.

